The Current state of
affairs of Carriacou, Grenada concerning tourism in the aftermath of
Hurricane Ivan
(Updated of September 28, 2004)
As many are now aware, the beautiful Spice Isle Caribbean nation
of Grenada suffered a devastating hit by Hurricane Ivan on September 7, 2004.
Many lost their lives and many buildings were either totally destroyed or
severely damaged. It is also obvious that the tourism industry has been affected
as well.
I am happy to report that Grenada's smaller island state of
Carriacou is ready to welcome tourists! Power and telephone communications
(including internet service) has been restored throughout the island. All
streets are clear and open to traffic. All hotels and restaurants are conducting
business as usual. The same goes for nearly all, if not all, guest houses,
cottages, shops, supermarkets, and stores that cater to the needs of tourists.
The beaches are still as lovely as every and the people are still smiling and
friendly.
I personally have verified that the Point Saline
International Airport on the mainland is open and receiving flights. The same
goes for the smaller Lauriston International Airport on Carriacou. The Osprey
Sea Ferry is also making daily trips between Carriacou and the Grenada mainland.
As of Monday, September 27, 2004 the Grenada postal system (Grenada Postal
Corporation) is sending and receiving mail, packages, and parcels to
and from all parts of the world.
If you are wondering if you would be safe and secure here,
wonder no more. There was absolutely no looting here and it
is as nice, calm, and safe as it was before the storm. Carriacou is the place to
visit, not only because of its natural beauty and tropical climate, but also
because of the friendly people that live here.
In fact, except for several homes and other buildings in
villages all over Carriacou that are obviously still in need of repairs or
rebuilding, and
some broken trees and brush in various places, it is almost hard to tell that a
Category Three Hurricane passed through here some two weeks ago! The resilience
of the people here is remarkable. Couple that with God's marvelous grace and
mercy, Carriacou is blessed and ready to share its warmth, beauty, and natural
resources with visitors.
If you already had reservations to come to Carriacou there is no
reason to cancel. If you had reservations to come to the mainland of Grenada,
perhaps you can still come Carriacou. But in any case, Carriacou should be a
primary consideration if you are looking for nice pristine place to enjoy your
vacation.
Lastly, your visit to Carriacou would also benefit the
economy and help the people of Grenada recover from the aftermath of Hurricane
Ivan. Thus, you can have a nice vacation while helping this country recover at
the same time. Now that's a good deal! Come on down, and -- all the best...
Walter Robinson II
Revised
September 28, 2004
Click here to hear a
statement by the Honorable Elvin Nimrod about Carriacou's present state of
affairs and ability to accommodate tourists.
The State of
Carriacou and the mainland of Grenada A little more than two Weeks after
Hurricane Ivan
(As related to me largely by Ms. Bernadette Lendore
Sylvester, the Permanent Secretary and Coordinator for Disaster Preparedness for
Carriacou and Petit Martinique on September 23, 2004)
Ms.
Bernadette Lendore Sylvester
(Photo By Walter Robinson II, Copyrighted © 2004, All
rights reserved ® by LCM.)
Ms. Bernadette Lendore Sylvester
Permanent Secretary and
Coordinator for Disaster
Preparedness for Carriacou and Petit Martinique
Though many of the
people of Carriacou still yet have a long way to go in recovering from Hurricane
Ivan, much progress has been made. I met with Ms. Bernadette Lendore Sylvester,
the Permanent Secretary for Carriacou and PM on September 23, 2004. She informed
me that some 400 homes on Carriacou and PM suffered damage ranging from the loss
of partial or complete roofs to total destruction. She also looked over the page
we have here on LCM that is making the needs of our lovely island known, as well
as the great need of those that are still suffering immensely on the mainland.
(Click
here to read more about those needs and how you can help.)
Yet, Ms. Sylvester
also confirmed my belief that Carriacou is now ready to continue receiving
visitors and providing a wonderful tourist experience for them. This is not hype
or an exaggeration. This webmaster has personally examined the services and the
island of Carriacou in general, and I can tell you that I believe that any
visitors will be glad they came.
Click here to read more about the current state of affairs of Carriacou.
I need not tell you
that the nation of Grenada now needs the support and help of people around the
world in a very real and pressing way. The dire and desperate state of the
mainland is better related by those who have been there and set up websites and
web pages to show it. The following are just a couple (Click on each to go to
their respective sites):
In addition to the
ways that people can help as spelled out on our
Carriacou
and Grenada mainland relief and aid page, another way is to visit Carriacou and
contribute to the economy as a tourist while enjoying yourself as well. That's a
good deal in any book!
On behalf of the
people of Carriacou, thanks for your ongoing prayers and expressions of concern
and offers of help.
All the best,
Walter Robinson II
Pastor of Windward Bible Church
& Webmaster of LCM
My
Observations on the State of
Carriacou and the mainland of Grenada One Week after Hurricane Ivan
(September 14, 2004, Carriacou)
By Walter Robinson II,
Webmaster of LCM
On September 7,
2004, Hurricane Ivan (category 3) devastated the mainland of Grenada when it's eye
passed directly through it. Some news reports state that Ivan was
actually a Category 5 when it did so, but that is not official. What is official
is that 90% percent of the homes and other buildings were damaged or destroyed
and many lives have been lost. As of September 20, 2004, 39 deaths have been
confirmed.
I spoke to one young
lady on Saturday morning, September 11, 2004, who was still on the mainland
at the time and trying to get
to Carriacou. She told us that things on the mainland were so
bad that some prisoners that had escaped from the nation's prison during its
destruction by the storm actually returned to the prison ruins a few days later. A recent
newscast broadcast over the Internet claims that ONE HALF of the homes
there were destroyed and many of the people are currently without shelter. It is
also reported that all churches and schools in the nation's capital were
destroyed. I also understand that some aid has been pledged and some is coming
in, but it is not coming in fast enough.
As of the
preparing of this page I have not been to the mainland to the see the damage. As
far as I know, almost no one is trying to go from Carriacou to the mainland, but
many on the mainland are trying to get off and go someplace where they can find
the necessities of life. Many are coming to Carriacou.
I have
watched with horror and great sadness the Internet video reports of the Grenada
mainland. It looks like a cold nuclear bomb was detonated in the air above much
of the country. Those that I have spoken to that have came to Carriacou from
there tell me that the destruction and personal hardship there is unbelievable.
Water and food are reported to be in short supply. Many are without any shelter.
Some are sleeping on mattresses that have been laid on the muddy ground under
houses or remains of houses that are still standing.
There is
no doubt in my mind that the Grenada mainland needs all the help it can get as
fast as it can, or many more will suffer inhumanely and could even perish in the
aftermath. I fear that disease could take a terrible toll if help doesn't arrive
quickly. Thus, this is an appeal to anyone who is able to help to step forward
and do so.
My web-stats show
that internet traffic to this website has tripled since the hurricane hit. Most
of the increase is due to people looking for information about how Carriacou
faired during and after being hit by Hurricane Ivan. Thus, I have created this
section of LCM to specifically highlight the damage and needs of Grenada's
smaller island state of Carriacou. Carriacou is located about sixteen miles
north of the mainland of Grenada and experienced hurricane force winds for
several hours. I personally know that Carriacou suffered much damage because I
live here and have personally experienced it and seen it first hand. I have also
received reports that Petit Martinique suffered damage as well.
Many international
news agencies have been providing some photos and video of the destruction on
the mainland. Thus, it is my aim to provide photos of some of the damage done to
homes and business on Carriacou.
Click here to go to that page. I hope to add images as soon as possible.
In addition, I am
also provided information for those who wish to help the people of Carriacou, as
well as the very needy people on the mainland of Grenada.
Click here to go to that page.
I also plan to
supply my personal commentary in our prayer-letter and update section when I
have time. I will add a link to that page from here when it is ready. Thanks for
your understanding.
Thanks for visiting
LCM and praying for the great needs of the people on the mainland and the needs
of the people of Carriacou.
Surviving Hurricane Ivan
The Robinsons' personal account of
surviving Hurricane Ivan.
Click here to go to that page and section.
Visitors have viewed
this page since September 14, 2004
Copyright © 2000 Last Chance Ministries. All rights reserved.
Revised: May 02, 2006.
Interview with the Honorable Elvin Nimrod: Minister of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade of Grenada
Right click here to download
